PMMS
Formationa

Sherman V Conversion
1:35 #F049

Review by Peter Brown
Formations
Formations continues with Sherman updates with this set for the Early High Bustle turret as fitted to early 47° hulled Shermans and the set consists of 44 pieces in the usual light cream resin cast to a high standard.

Cleanup consist of the usual removal of the casting blocks and some thin resin film around some parts and inside the aperture cut-outs in the turret and a sharp blade or fine razor saw will do the job nicely.

Care is needed with some of the smaller and finer parts during cleanup but mostly there shouldn’t be any problems and by cleaning out the resin film from inside the lifting eyes (for example) while they are still on the ‘sprue’ will make the job easier than tying to grip the part after removal.

The detail on the parts is excellent with nice subtle weld seams around the lower bustle join to fine casting numbers on the turret roof, side of the gun shield, two on the rotor shield and on the rim of the Commander’s hatch plus the foundry casting crest on the turret rear. Other details include the two small drain holes in the roof ventilator splash shield and nice bolt head details around the gun shield for good attention to detail.

The main part is the turret cast in two parts with the main shell and lower turret ring, the cleanup on the shell consist of the smoothing the lower edges of the turret and opening out the turret apertures, all very easy. The lower ring requires the casting residue shaved from the top to fit into the cut-outs around the lower edges of the turret and some trimming may be needed but nothing out of the ordinary.

The fit of the gun shield to the turret was spot on as it was for the Commander’s hatch but some minor trimming was needed for a good fit of the loader’s hatch, but only very minor (test fit often). Just a quick note on removing the Commander’s hatch from its casting block, you should cut this as close as possible level to the casting block and not cut where there is a small lip half way up the underside ring, the lip is to locate onto the turret hatch opening. By cutting close to the casting block will ensure the inner ring details of rim padding and latches will remain intact but will be damaged if the cut is higher up the lip.

Assembling the gun is quite straightforward and was snug enough for all parts to hold together without glue but of course you will add a drop of cyanoacrylate to keep things in place. After attaching the gun shield to the turret fit the barrel through the shield and fit into the rear securing block (part X1), then slip the rotor shield over the barrel and press hard against the gun shield and as long as you didn’t open up the barrel hole in the rotor shield too much this will hold the complete assembly together using friction only, all very simple and by ensuring that no cyanoacrylate gets between the gun and rotor shields the gun will elevate after assembly.

With the Loader’s hatch there is a very fine pad lock fitting included but this is surrounded by thin resin film due to the way the casting block is attached and it is very east to remove this along with the resin film, which I did even though I had noticed this before hand. I simply replaced this fitting with one from a spare Sherman etched set and also added the hatch grab handle from thin wire. There are also separate resin hatch springs to be carefully cut from their casting block and fitted in place to complete the hatch which also has details on the inside if you want to show this in the open position.

The commander’s hatch has separate hatches with separate periscope and inner latch but you will have to add the grab handles from thin wire and on the hatch rim is the MG support for good details.

Separate details on the turret include the large Commander’s periscope cover with inner periscope plus the fine sighting vane and Rob gives you two of these as they are very fine and easy to damage during cleanup so the spare is a nice touch.

There’s also the Loader’s periscope, three turret lifting eyes, rear mounted aerial mount and brackets for the .50cal MG storage plus the searchlight if required, just a quick note on the searchlight which is cast with the casting block attached to the front of the light leaving a flat face when cleaned up and you will have to drill out the light for the correct indentation of the light lens.

Resin parts
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Instructions:
The instructions are a single letter sized page with diagrams of some parts and the overhead view of the turret but some of these such as the Commander’s hatches are a little vague as the latches aren’t mentioned for example but as most modeller’s using these sets will know where Sherman bits go it’s no a great problem.

Conclusion:
An excellent Sherman turret from Formations that fills another gap in the range with the early high bustle turret with well done details and easy assembly that should be welcomed by Sherman fans and find a home on many appropriate Sherman models.

Highly recommended.

References:

SHERMAN A History of the
American Medium Tank

R.P.Hunnicutt. Presidio Books ISBN 0-89141-080-5
book

Check the Formations website for details of other update sets available and thanks to Rob for the review sample.



Page created 4 June 2005

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